Do lightboxes let in water and insects?

A well-made box is sealed around the face, with small drainage holes along the bottom so condensation can escape. LEDs run much cooler than tubes, so less heat draws insects in. Taking the face off occasionally to clean inside keeps the light even.

Lightbox or lit letters?

A lightbox suits a logo, colours or extra information on one lit panel at lower cost. Individually lit letters give a cleaner, brand-led look with the fascia showing between them. Your street, budget and any conservation-area rules usually decide it.

Can the existing wiring be reused?

Often the existing supply, switch and timer can be reused, provided an electrician checks them first. New LED drivers usually replace the old control gear inside the box. If the circuit is old or untested, the electrician will advise before connecting to BS 7671.

Will the location in Bangor affect the cost of lightbox signs?

Location is one factor among several, alongside size, material, access equipment and design time. Our guide range is £1,250–£4,800 per lightbox + VAT; any travel, parking or access costs for your site in Bangor are included in the written quote we confirm after a survey or artwork check, so you can see them before you commit.

What is the typical timescale for lightbox signs from enquiry to fitting?

A quote typically follows once we have your photos or have surveyed the site, and making and fitting is typically booked a few weeks after you approve the proof. Where advertisement consent applies, that decision has to come through before anything goes up, which can add several weeks. We give you an expected timescale with your quote for Bangor.

Do you cover smaller places near Bangor as well?

Yes. Our coverage is not limited to Bangor itself: nearby towns, industrial estates and business parks across County Down are included too. The process does not change with the postcode. Send photos and approximate sizes, and we will tell you whether a site visit is needed before we can give you a fixed price.

Lightbox signs in County Down

A lightbox sign is a shallow enclosed box with a translucent face and LED lighting inside, so the whole panel, or just lettering routed into it, glows evenly at night.

Why choose lightbox signs in County Down?

Businesses with several sites across County Down can share one set of artwork, so the Bangor branch matches the rest.
Where a Bangor shop has a long fascia, a flex-faced box spans it without the joins rigid acrylic sheets need.
When an old fluorescent box above a Bangor shop flickers, an LED conversion can cost far less than a new sign.

Guide prices in County Down

Budgeting for lightbox signs? The guide below runs from £1,250 to £4,800 per lightbox. VAT is extra. Size, materials and access decide where your job lands, and we confirm it in writing after surveying or checking the artwork.

Lightbox signs in County Down: guide prices, supplied and fitted
Item	Guide, ex VAT	Inc. VAT (20%)
Lightbox up to 3 m, printed face	£1,250 – £2,650	£1,500 – £3,180
Lightbox 3–5 m, routed and push-through letters	£2,450 – £4,800	£2,940 – £5,760
Replacement face for an existing lightbox	£295 – £950	£354 – £1,140

Guide prices: £1,250–£2,650 + VAT for a box up to 3 m with a printed face, and £2,450–£4,800 + VAT for a 3–5 m box with push-through letters. A replacement face is a guide £295–£950 + VAT. Prices exclude VAT and are confirmed after survey.

Consent for illuminated signs in County Down

Expect to apply if you want light. In Northern Ireland, express consent is usually required for exterior illuminated signs under the 2015 NI Regulations, and the council is likely to consider brightness, hours and appearance, particularly in conservation areas or on listed buildings. We prepare the scaled drawings, lighting details and photo mock-ups for an NI Planning Portal application, or submit it on your behalf. Keep illumination static and within the PLG05 guidance, and use a time switch or photocell to control the hours. The mains connection is made by an electrician to BS 7671.

Options worth considering

Double-sided box

Lit on both faces, for gable ends, canopies or posts.

Routed push-through face

Only the lettering glows, standing slightly proud of the face.

Replacement face

A new face cut to fit a sound existing box.

Towns in County Down

Below: towns across County Down where Smart Signs handles lightbox signs. The service, the process and the guide prices are the same in each, and places missing from the list are covered as well.

Start your lightbox signs enquiry for County Down now: images and rough measurements help us price accurately. Quotes cost nothing, and you see and approve the design before production starts.